California Department of Transportation

Caltrans Opens New Highway 50 Bus/Carpool Lane to Ease Congestion in Time for Holiday Travel

RANCHO CORDOVA – Today, just in time for the busy holiday travel season, Caltrans cut the ribbon for a new bus/carpool lane that will ease traffic congestion, reduce air pollution, and lessen the travel time for an estimated 170,000 drivers daily on Highway 50 between Rancho Cordova and Sacramento.

"Our state is working through tough economic times and projects like this help the local community by putting people in the area to work,” said Acting Caltrans Director Malcolm Dougherty. “Caltrans continues to partner with local governments on projects to not only help the region with infrastructure improvements, but to also improve the overall driving experience for travelers."

The $108 million project received $55 million from Proposition 1B, the 2006 voter-approved transportation bond. To date, the state has allocated nearly
$11 billion in Proposition 1B funds for transportation purposes statewide.

“A project like this not only helps reduce traffic congestion and air pollution, it also keeps people working during these troubled times,” said Caltrans District 3 Director Jody Jones. The fact that we’ve completed this in time for the holidays makes me hopeful that there will be less stress on holiday shoppers and commuters.”

The new bus/carpool lane adds approximately 7.5 miles of in the eastbound direction on Highway 50, from Sunrise Boulevard to Watt Avenue. With this new addition, the continuous carpool lane stretches 22.5 miles on eastbound Highway 50 between Sacramento (Watt Avenue) and El Dorado (Bass Lake Road).

The project also rebuilt two bike/pedestrian overcrossings at Manlove and White Rock Roads to meet Americans with Disabilities Act standards.

Additional enhancements include new soundwalls and improved landscaping and lighting.